Warm air, sunny blue skies and long days. These are just a few of our favorite things about summer.

Our summer, so far has been spent in the San Juan Islands here in Washington State. Every weekend, we are here. Well, I should correct that — every weekend, I am here. Hubby and B are the lucky ones that can be here all of the time since school is out for summer. They call me while I am working away in busy corporate America telling me about the whales that are breaching off the coast of South Beach on San Juan Island while I am frantically fixing the copy machine that has flooded our work room with a sea of papers. Or they call me to tell me about the most delicious lunch they have just enjoyed while I glance down at my pitiful brown bag lunch now smashed because I unknowingly dropped it on the floor and proceeded to roll over it with my chair. *sigh* This is not all, I also receive pictures via my email that hubby snapped from his phone of certain events happening during their days such as dungeness crabs they have caught, views from the top of mountains they have climbed all while being co-mingled with urgent emails from fellow colleagues needing A.S.A.P. help with something.

But really, I am happy for them because I know they are having the time of their lives. Really!

What keeps me going? The fact that on Friday’s I have a one way ticket to paradise . . .

~ A Weekend Escape to Orcas Island from Corporate America

These weekends for me are filled with excitement because after five long days of not seeing my boys — there they are.

“Mommeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” cries B as he runs to me, weaving in and out of the line of walk on passengers. He literally, runs faster than a speeding train and I must really brace myself to make sure we don’t fall over.

“Are we going to go kayaking now??” he asked.

“Yes! ” and with that came a big sigh of relief :)

Kayaking was on my mind all week and I could hardly wait. Our tour guide was Jeff with Shearwater Kayaks and on this evening we were able to tag along while he toured a lovely couple, Kathy and Robert on a sunset kayak tour. Not only does Jeff know these waters like no other but he teaches you quickly and easily the ropes of kayaking.

Finally, my weekend has begun . . .

In addition to exploring the islands and all of the outdoor activities they offer, I love going to the farmer’s market to pick up goodies like these. I was very excited to see currants there. Oh those currants, how I have missed them!

These are just some of the views you can expect to experience while on a sea kayak tour with Shearwater

Peaceful, quiet and beautiful . . .

Wildlife abounds in the San Juan Islands as seen this evening on our kayak tour . . .

Grilled and flattened sugared figs with a honey and ricotta. Another simple, yet elegant creation prepared in my Airstream kitchen with ingredients from the islands . . .

Thank you Jeff for allowing us to come along on your incredible kayak tour :) It will be a memory we will have forever and can hardly wait to come back again!!

Lake Kachess. Wow. We are definitely coming back here. This lake is amazingly huge, blue, deep and beautiful. It is full of boaters, fisherman and kayakers. Along the shore you will find families and friends gathering on blankets soaking up the sun while watching the children play in the sand and swim in the cool mountain lake.

Just a few steps away from our campsite was Lake Kachess. We started our morning with a quick breakfast of a Chocolate Granola parfait and headed to the lake. At the end of our day we were starving so I quickly caramelized some figs in the Airstream and topped a piece of crusty bread with Cambozola cheese and the caramelized figs atop a handful of spicy Arugula greens. Heaven.

Besides hiking, fishing, wild life watching (the list goes on and on) Orcas Island offers up some amazing kayaking adventures. Driving back to our Airstream we spotted an incredible array of bright orange, blue and red kayaks and I couldn’t wait to check them all out. Apparently these kayaks are so sturdy and never tip over that couples have taken their wee little ones out with them.

Kayaks and our Airstream, what an adventure that will be! We can not wait :)